What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ist
Example
She is a dentist, an ist who specializes in oral health. [ist: noun]
Example
He is a linguist, an ist who studies language and its structure. [ist: suffix]
specialist
Example
The patient was referred to a heart specialist for further evaluation. [specialist: noun]
Example
She is a marketing specialist who focuses on social media campaigns. [specialist: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Specialist is more commonly used than ist in everyday language. Specialist is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while ist is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ist and specialist?
Specialist is generally considered more formal than ist. While ist can be used in both formal and informal contexts, specialist is more commonly used in formal settings, such as academic or professional environments.
